Em-Dash AI Detection

Cluster discusses em-dashes (vs. hyphens or en-dashes) as a stylistic telltale for identifying AI-generated text, especially from LLMs like ChatGPT, with debates on human typing habits and typography rules.

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#1802
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Keywords

e.g AI LLM UTF HTML GPT FAQ dash em en ai noun spaces compound llm proper space

Sample Comments

Buttons840 Jul 19, 2025 View on HN

Use two dashes instead of an actual em dash. ChatGPT, at least, cannot do the same--it just can't.

jjgreen Jul 11, 2025 View on HN

Just for the em-dashes? Some humans also use them.

cal85 Oct 13, 2025 View on HN

It's not an em-dash, it's an en-dash, which is rare in LLM output. Also just stop being insufferable.

bentinata Sep 11, 2025 View on HN

Do you use "emdash" because you love to use it but don't want to be mistaken as AI-generated?

singiamtel Jun 2, 2025 View on HN

It's the em dash that does it for me

Ralfp Sep 22, 2025 View on HN

People usually don't type embdash, just use regular dash (minus sign) they have already on the keyboard. ChatGPT uses emdash instead.

ziml77 Aug 4, 2025 View on HN

Keep using them. Don't let AI steal beautiful em-dashes away from you.

delfinom Dec 19, 2025 View on HN

There's an emdash, no human being uses emdashes.

emchammer Mar 27, 2025 View on HN

Thank God AI hasn’t figured out proper use of em/en dashes yet, so we still have a shibboleth.

ziml77 Jul 16, 2025 View on HN

Keep using the em-dash with pride! Don't let the AIs steal such a beautiful thing from us!